Results
Title

Presumptive identification of nitrite by Griess reagent test strips—Case reports of fatal poisoning with sodium nitrite.

Authors

Zhang, Man; Truver, Michael T; Hoyer, Jennifer L; Chronister, Chris W; Goldberger, Bruce A

Abstract

The intentional ingestion of sodium nitrite causes toxicity by inducing methemoglobinemia, which can lead to cyanosis, hypotension and death. The number of reported suicide cases has significantly increased in the past 10 years as sodium nitrite is readily available online. The traditional tests for nitrite and nitrate require specialized detection methods which are not typically available in a postmortem toxicology laboratory. This rise in sodium nitrite overdose cases indicates the need for a simple, quick test for suspected nitrite toxicity. In this study, a common Griess reagent color test (MQuant™ Nitrite Test Strips) was used as a presumptive method in cases where the ingestion of sodium nitrite was suspected. The test results were consistent between specimens in all cases, and vitreous humor was identified as a reliable matrix to be used in the cases of suspected sodium nitrite poisonings. Case reports of five patients who died of suicide by sodium nitrite in a 6-month span are presented.

Subjects

SODIUM nitrites; VITREOUS humor; POISONING; NITRITES; METHEMOGLOBINEMIA; IDENTIFICATION

Publication

Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 2023, Issue 8, p746

ISSN

0146-4760

Publication type

Academic Journal

DOI

10.1093/jat/bkad038